Bear returns home

Bear, a 13-year-old Bernese mountain dog that we told readers about on Sept. 12, is back home with his owner George Strong. Bear is recovering from being attacked just over three weeks ago by a mountain lion that entered the family’s La Cañada yard. The cat grabbed Bear and ran off into the nearby hillside. Strong, his brother-in- law Bryan Thomas and his other dog Dante gave chase and ended up rescuing him. After the attack, Strong took Bear to an Irvine neurologist to have bone chips removed from his brain. Strong said Bear has become the mascot of the veterinarian because they had never known a dog to have survived a cougar attack. Bear lost the use of his left eye and is a little wobbly but otherwise is fine. His final check- up is due next week. -- PHOTOGRAPHER: Mickey Caruso/Valley Sun